Nothing was going to stop the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns from making history one more time Thursday night.

Not even the Henderson State Reddies, who got within five points of Arkansas Tech in the final minutes of the first half, but the 13th-ranked Golden Suns went on to lead by as many as 21 points before settling for a 73-58 final margin of victory.

HSU did manage to accomplish one thing, however. The Lady Reddies redefined the word lethargic with slow-tempo tactics on offense that not only backfired, but meant 29 turnovers and a slew of high-percentage baskets -layups - for Tech.

"Starting off 15-0 is tremendous," Golden Suns head coach Dave Wilbers said. "We played really well in those 15 games. We just have to keep playing hard and keep it going. The players haven't talked about it that much, but we know it's in the back of their minds."

Henderson State (9-8, 0-2 Gulf South Conference West Division) took a 6-4 lead early, but Arkansas Tech (15-0, 2-0) went on a 12-0 run and built a 16-6 margin as the Lady Reddies used an unusual offensive style of taking as long as possible to bring the ball across the half-court line. There is no 10-second rule in women's college basketball.

HSU eventually closed its deficit to 30-25 late in the first half and trailed 35-27 at halftime. But the Golden Suns weren't waiting on anything as they started the second half by shooting 11-off-15 from the field and a 15-2 scoring onslaught to take a 42-29 lead with 16 minutes left. The Lady Reddies continued to take their time on offense, but Jenny Vining - who paired with Natalia Santos to lead all scores with 21 points apiece - pushed Tech to a 51-36 lead midway through the second half.

Henderson State answered with a 9-0 scoring surge, but Santos scored on a layup after a nice touch pass from Jessica Weatherford to give the Golden Suns a 65-51 lead. Santos, Laura Beth Anderson and senior Anna Baran set the final score and gave Arkansas Tech's women their first 15-0 start in the 33-year history of the basketball program.

"We did really well in the second half," Wilbers said. "Our emphasis was our high-low game, and it worked really well. When you slow the game down and we a 10-point lead, I'm okay with that. I'll take my chances with that. That's a pretty big lead. It's a good victory, and we were able to get high-percentage shots, too.

"They're a good team," the coach said about Tech's first conference road game at 5:30 Saturday against the Harding Lady Bisons. "They shoot the ball well, and they play at a high level. We'll have to get out on their shooters and guard them. But we'll be ready for them. It will be a good challenge for us."

In other GSC West women's action Thursday, Harding lost to Southern Arkansas 59-58 on a last-second free throw after the Lady Bisons won their first league game over HSU on a last-second free throw last Saturday. Second-ranked Delta State beat Arkansas-Monticello 83-69, and Christian Brothers topped Ouachita Baptist 65-62.